"So, we have things to discuss now?" he asked jokingly. "I hope you didn't miss me too much. I tried to make the trip as fast I could. I hope you're alright, I can tell you've had a bit of a rough day, dear. My day was uneventful, other than killing a couple idiots, but really no troubles. I didn't get paid in money for my job like I thought I would, but I did get this beautiful sword and new rifle from the old man."

He hugged her then. "Tell me how your day went, miss Izanami," he said and smiled at her.

Izanami felt her mouth curl into a smile as they were left alone, and she hugged him in return. "I missed you dearly, sir Ceadda." She admitted quietly, intaking his calming smell once more. "And today was partly stressful. I helped Scarlet into the home," she wasn't sure whether to call it hers or theirs, "because I just couldn't let her die at the hands of the Cadet..."

She remembered the Cadet, and she immediately began to fret. Was he even still alive? He was most likely naked, cold and hungry down in the holds she had. Oh, why had she built those? Izanami rushed out of his arms and grabbed some food, then pressed a button, opening the secret hatch that extended from the main ladder. "Ceadda, please don't hate me for this, but I need your help..." she sighed shakily, and she got chills.

Izanami shook her head. "No, you'll never look at me the same way again, Ceadda. And I'll hate myself for it." She brushed past him and climbed down the ladder. She turned on the light before looking off in the direction she had left the Cadet. He soon jumped up and tugged at the chains like a restricted zombie. Izanami let a few tears tumble down her cheeks, and she covered her eyes in shame.

Ceadda saw what she was referring to and tried to hide a bit of laughter at how she thought this would change how he saw her. "Dear, I think you fail to realize the kinds of things I've seen. You took a prisoner, and chained him up. Why would I look at you badly for that?" he asked.

Izanami wiped the tears away, and soon her anger began to replace her despair. "This Cadet was the one that had been attacking Scarlet, and this Cadet was the one that raped my mother, and his teammates beat my father and brother, and he's the one that smacked me into the wall." She kicked into the Cadet's chest, and he flew into the wall before sliding down.

"I need you to restrain me, mainly, so I don't lose control of myself and kill him before I get the information I want." Izanami dropped some jerky in front of the Cadet, and he ate it like a filthy animal. "But I will deal with him tomorrow, as today has been a stressful day."

As he reached for the second piece of jerky, Izanami stepped on the Cadet's hand. "You'll make no noise while we sleep, and you'll not give us stress, or tomorrow will be a painful day for you. Understood?" She asked sternly. The Cadet nodded, and she returned to Ceadda.

Izanami felt her face grow hot. "I-I'd enjoy that very much," she agreed softly, then turned out the lights and climbed back up to the main room of her shelter. She waited for Ceadda to emerge from the cell before shutting the hatch, and she listened for a minute to see if the Cadet would be giving trouble. He made no noise.

Ceadda smiled at her red cheeks as they went to the main room to talk. She really was quite stunning, he thought as he looked at her. He was rarely at loss for words or shy like this. It was annoying, but at the same time he liked the way it felt... What was going on?

Izanami walked to the bed, now that all of the sheets and blankets with blood had been replaced, and she sat down on the edge of it. She first shrugged her shoulders, then realized that it wasn't a true answer. Smiling, she looked to Ceadda one more time before beginning.

"There's a lot I think of you, Ceadda." Izanami began softly. "But at the same time, I can't quite explain what I think of you. I think you're strong, intelligent, funny; but at the same time, very troubled and very lonely. You are the single most outstanding human being I have met to this day, and I hope you can stay with me for a very, very long time." She felt her cheeks burned, and she looked to the floor.

Izanami looked at him with wonder struck eyes, before looking away quickly. "But, I'd like to know what you think of me, and what I mean to you," she asked quietly. She knew that this would tell her for sure whether what she was feeling was hurting her or helping her. She stood and moved to stand near the table, before deciding to hop up and sit on the edge. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't desire to," Izanami added quietly.

Ceadda looked into Izanami's eyes. "What I think of you..." He mumbled. He went and sat next to her."I think you're easily one of the most remarkable women I've ever met. You're gorgeous, even if you aren't my normal type. Then again I've prett much ignored women the last few years. You're intelligent, lovely, intriguing, unique, and you have talent and potential. You're truly spectacular to me, dear..." He said his cheeks burning.

Izanami felt her cheeks turn a red hot, and she laid her hand on this. "I haven't interacted with another human being normally in a very long time, and I've never acted like this. I've never felt like this either." She sighed. "I-I mean my head swims and my heart skips and I can't think straight. When I think about you, I get all dizzy and I feel a little sick, but it's also the best feeling in the world, and I hope it never goes away." She bit her lip. "I sound like a fool.."

"Love..." Izanami whispered. She hardly knew the meaning anymore since her family had been stolen from her, but she had slowly started to know what it meant again without realizing it. She looked at Ceadda, and a smile conquered her lips. "Love..." she repeated it a bit louder. Just a few days ago, she had been remembering her thought that she would never be able to love again. Izanami rested her head on his shoulder.

Ceadda looked at with gentle eyes, smiling at her realization that he was right. He felt truly happy.But he knew could not stay forever. Eventually his enemies would find him again, and he couldn't risk her life. He could come and go from time to time, but staying? It was too dangerous. He would have to tell her eventually... But not tonight. He put his arms around her and pulled her into a lying position, and held her.

Izanami felt her heart skip from beat to beat, and a euphoric tingle spread through her chest. She took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. She laid with Ceadda, feeling more relaxed than ever before in her life. Breathing deeply again, she closed her eyes slowly and called, "Lights off." The lights dimmed, and she let all of her muscles relax. Izanami had never felt happier.

Sleeping with Izanami was the greatest thing Ceadda had experienced. Just lying near her being able to hold her meant everything to him. He was pained greatly at the fact he could not stay forever. There was a lot after him, and a lot he had to do. He couldn't just sit by while people were still killed because of his actions or lack thereof. And there was also another thing. The Dead Lands. That place had been calling to him for years. Unexplored, unsurvivable. It was like a challenge to his very existence, and he couldn't rest idly by without seeking it.

And even worse, were those who wished to kill Ceadda. They wouldn't let anybody around him live, and he couldn't put Izanami in that danger. But when would he leave? How would he tell her?

Izanami lay still in Ceadda's arms, and she kept her rate of deep breaths steady. She had never been so calm in her life, yet her mind raced faster than ever and her heart felt like it was in a drag race. She loved how she felt whenever Ceadda was around, and she knew that he brought out the best in her. Izanami suddenly came up with the thought of him leaving her for good, and it was enough to make her cry on the spot. She silently swore that no matter where he went or who chased him, Izanami would be brave and would journey with him, unless it endangered his own life. She opened her eyes slowly and turned to look at Ceadda, who was already fast asleep. Smiling sweetly, she studied every line and shadow in his face. Moving slowly so as to not to disturb his sleep, Izanami softly kissed his cheek, then laid her head back down and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, dear," she whispered and soon fell asleep fast.

Izanami's eyes suddenly shot open. She remembered that it was the end of the month, and she was supposed to meet Jurou in the Petrucious Forest for her new supply of water. She didn't want to leave Ceadda, but she had no choice. Jurou would hunt her down and it would not end well for her. She was able to squirm out of his arms without waking him, and she hurriedly placed her helmet back on her head. Rushing around at the speed of light, Izanami remembered to write a small note before she took off.

Dear Ceadda,I went to meet Jurou in the Petrucious Forest. It's necessary to get my water supply. I'll return soon. In the meanwhile, take anything you please. I shouldn't take long. Don't worry about me, dear.Love, Izanami.

Izanami folded the letter perfectly and rested it on his chest. For her last touches, she grabbed her loaded pistol and tucked it in her leggings under her shirt in the front for easy access. She scampered out of the ladder and closed the hatch softly, locking it behind her. She soon took off running to the normal meeting place in the forest.

Awakening in the morning, Ceadda noticed Izanami was not there. After a momentary panic, he noticed the note she had left.

After reading it, he was quite confused at what he should do. He could probably track her and catch up to her if he wanted. Or he could trust in her and the fact that she could handle herself.

He decided to wait for her to return, and try and sort through his feeling for her. He couldn't place if it were platonic or romantic, and this is what confused him the most. Did he love her as one would a friend or family? Or was he actually in love with her? He looked at the ceiling trying to sort through his feelings.